JOHNSTOWN, Pa. --- The Golden Eagles men's basketball team soared to a thrilling 79-76 victory over the Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats on Wednesday night. The Golden Eagles, needing a win to bolster their playoff hopes, got just that thanks to a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense.
 
One of the key differences in the game was Clarion's ability to value the basketball. The Golden Eagles committed a season-low six turnovers, their third game of the season with single-digit turnovers. Conversely Clarion forced 12 Mountain Cats turnovers, turning those miscues into 17 points while allowing just four points off turnovers.
 
Clarion was led by a trio of double-digit scorers. Cam Kearney led the way with 16 points and four rebounds. Justice Easter added 11 points and four rebounds, and Trey Nelson chipped in 11 points and four assists. The Golden Eagles also got a big boost from their bench, with the reserves kicking in 24 points. Kendon Peebles contributed 14 of those points, going 6-of-9 from the field.
 
The Mountain Cats took a three-point lead with 6:05 left in regulation, with Jay Rose making a mid-range jumper to make it 68-65. Rose tacked on a pair of free throws with under five minutes to play to make it 70-67 but the Golden Eagles locked in down the stretch to take the lead. Kearney drew a foul with 4:15 to play, making both free throws to tie the game, and he added two more from the charity stripe at the 3:21 mark to put his team ahead 73-71.
 
Ryan Smith tied the game at 73 with a baseline drive and layup, but Nelson – the reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Week – finished on a finger roll in response to keep the lead. Easter made a short jumper with 43 seconds left in regulation, giving the Golden Eagles a 77-75 advantage. Easter contributed two more free throws down the stretch, and Jeremy Thomas II got a key block on the Mountain Cats' last possession to snuff their chance at sending the game to overtime.
 
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets. The Golden Eagles led by as many as six points in the first half, but Pitt-Johnstown scored the last eight points of the half to take a 42-35 lead into the break.
 
Clarion's defense was particularly impressive in the second half. They held Pitt-Johnstown to just 34 points on 30.8 percent shooting from the field.
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